Lawmakers say no to 'Thomas Paine Day'

Arkansas lawmakers have once again blocked an effort to create a special day to commemorate Thomas Paine in the state.

By a nearly two-to-one margin, House lawmakers on Friday rejected the measure to designate Jan. 29 as "Thomas Paine Day" in honor of the founding father. The vote was 28-44.

Rep. John Burris, R-Harrison, voted for the bill. Voting against it were Reps. Karen Hopper, R-Lakeview, Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas, John Payton, R-Wilburn, Tommy Wren, D-Melbourne, and David Branscum, R-Marshall. Rep. Kelley Linck, R-Yellville, was among 26 House members who did not vote.

,The bill's opponents said they didn't want to honor someone who had published criticisms of Christianity.

The proposal, by Republican Rep. Randy Alexander wouldn't have created a legal holiday but would have established a "memorial day" for Paine. Other historical figures who enjoy that distinction in Arkansas include Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Previous efforts to honor Paine, whose influential writings are credited with inspiring the American Revolution, failed to clear the Legislature in 2007 and 2009.

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Lawmakers say no to 'Thomas Paine Day'

Arkansas lawmakers have once again blocked an effort to create a special day to commemorate Thomas Paine in the state.